REGIONAL INFORMATION CENTER UPDATE – MAY 4
Additional COVID-19-related deaths reported, 400 Washoe County residents have recovered
Health District Hotline:
775.328.2427
Follow us on Twitter:
Twitter.com/covid19washoe
In addition, there are 400 total COVID-19 recoveries from COVID-19 and 11 additional positive cases in Washoe County.
- Total COVID-19 cases in Washoe County: 988 (+11 from 5/3)
- Deaths: 35 (+2)
- Recoveries: 400 (+18)
- Active cases: 553 (-9)
- Currently hospitalized: 55 (+4)
- Cases who have discharged from hospital: 72 (+1)
Hospital bed and ventilator information
In Washoe County as of May 3, 2020:
- 57 percent of short-term, acute-care hospital beds are occupied (+3% since May 2)
- 54 percent of the Intensive Care Unit beds are occupied (+3%)
- 15 percent of ventilators are in use (-2%)
Residents urged to safely celebrate Cinco de Mayo
Washoe County residents are being asked to safely celebrate Cinco de Mayo on Tuesday and limit large gatherings to prevent possible transmission of COVID-19.
COVID-19 active cases reached their highest point last week and the Health District reported increased positive cases due to large gatherings for the Easter holiday. We understand the importance and tradition of the holiday but recommend that social distancing guidelines be maintained to prevent further exposure of COVID-19.
COVID-19 testing expanding to include first responders, healthcare workers and more
The COVID-19 Incident Management Team (IMT) is working to begin testing first responders and healthcare workers who may or may not be showing symptoms of COVID-19.
The update to the testing protocol is only for those asymptomatic populations at this time. The IMT is also providing test kits to long term care facilities with medical personnel on staff to do testing to populations that have accessibility issues.
Residents who have symptoms of COVID-19, including cough, shortness of breath and others are encouraged to get tested. To complete a risk assessment and potentially get tested for COVID-19, call 775-328-2427, or fill out a risk assessment form online (Complete el formulario de evaluación COVID-19).
Wildfire Awareness Month – Video PSA
Regional fire departments would like to remind the media and public that May is Wildfire Awareness Month. Peak wildfire conditions in the Truckee Meadows are expected to occur around June 1, with dry conditions forecasted. Residents are encouraged to learn how they can protect their homes and communities from wildfire, in addition to helping firefighters reduce the number of human-caused fires. Regional fire chiefs provide tips on how to be fire safe this spring and summer in this video produced by the Regional Information Center. Please help keep our first responders focused on local response efforts, including COVID-19, rather than spending valuable time and resources on wildfires this spring and summer.
The COVID-19 Regional Information Center is working together to deliver COVID-19 community updates in a unified manner. Follow us on Twitter @COVID19Washoe. The entities include: City of Reno, City of Sparks, North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District, Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, Regional Transportation Commission, REMSA, Reno Sparks Indian Colony, Reno Police Department, Reno Fire Department, Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District, University of Nevada, Reno, Washoe County, Washoe County Health District, Washoe County School District and Washoe County Sheriff’s Office. Also in the group are the area hospitals, Northern Nevada Medical Center, Renown Health and Saint Mary’s.